Background
Hermann Wilhelm Goering (or Göring) is, of course, best known as the infamous commander of the German Luftwaffe during World War Two. Instrumental in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, he became one of the most powerful men in Germany. He founded the Gestapo in 1933 and became commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe in 1935. He held this position until the final days of World War II. What some may not know is that he was also a decorated pilot of World War I with 22 victories to his credit. As an ace fighter pilot, he was the recipient of numerous medals and awards – The Iron Cross (1st and 2nd Class), the Zaehring Lion with swords, the Friedrich Order, the House Order of Hohenzollern with swords third class, and finally, in May 1918, the coveted Pour le Mérite, also known as the "Blue Max". He also has the distinction of being the last commander of Jagdgeschwader 1, the fighter wing once led by Manfred von Richthofen.